Bat alignment assembly and method of training a batter

ABSTRACT

A bat alignment assembly for training a batter comprises a bat having a distal end and a proximal end. A barrel is located adjacent to the distal end of the bat. A handle is disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the bat. The barrel of the bat comprises a physical hitting surface. The bat alignment assembly includes an alignment assembly on a bat which facilitates positioning a batter&#39;s hands on a handle of the bat in an optimal batting orientation. The alignment assembly may include a base tone and a secondary tone, wherein the base tone and the secondary tone at least partially define an alignment interface. A method of training a batter to maximize an area of contact with a ball is also presented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a bat alignment assembly for training a batter in a variety of sports such as baseball or softball. The bat alignment assembly comprises an alignment assembly that facilitates positioning a batter's hands in an optimal batting orientation on a handle of the bat, and conditioning the batter to swing while maintaining the bat in the optimal batting orientation. The present invention also comprises a method of training a batter.

Description of the Related Art

The most effective batters are those that have developed hand-eye coordination to track a ball's trajectory, and contacting the ball while maximizing the area of contact between the bat and the ball. Prior devices for training a batter included baseball bats of varying cross sectional geometries, and baseball bats with cushioned surfaces. Other training devices are in the form of a baseball designed to train a batter to follow the ball's trajectory. Other known batter training devices include oversized training instruments with varying geometries designed to condition a batter's hitting mechanics. Other devices have been disclosed which include training instruments with a handle in the form of an oversized cylinder, or with a hitting surface in the form of a paddle. None of the aforementioned training devices include a bat that may be used in training as well as in regulation play, such as but not limited to professional, collegiate, or little league baseball or softball.

As such, it would be beneficial to provide a bat alignment assembly including a bat having an alignment assembly that could be used in training as well as in regulation play. It would be helpful for such an alignment assembly to facilitate positioning a batter's hands on a handle of a bat in an optimal batting orientation. It would further be helpful for such an alignment assembly to at least partially define a perceived contact surface so as to assist in training a batter to swing a bat while maintaining the bat in an optimal batting orientation, thereby maximizing an area of contact between the bat and a ball. A further benefit may be realized by providing a method of training a batter to maximize an area of contact between a bat and a ball utilizing a bat alignment assembly that can be used in training as well as in regulation play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a bat alignment assembly for training a batter. A bat alignment assembly comprises a bat having a distal end and a proximal end. A bat in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises a barrel located adjacent to the distal end of the bat. In at least one other embodiment, a bat comprises a handle disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the bat. A bat alignment assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises an alignment assembly. In at least one embodiment, an alignment assembly is at least partially disposed on a barrel of a bat. An alignment assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention facilitates positioning a batter's hands on a handle of a bat in an optimal batting orientation so as to maximize the area of contact between the bat and a ball.

The present invention further comprises a method of training a batter to maximize an area of contact with a ball. In at least one embodiment, the present method comprises providing a bat alignment assembly including a bat having an alignment assembly which at least partially defines a perceived contact surface coplanar and coincident with an axis though a length of the bat. The method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention also includes positioning a batter's hands on a handle of the bat in an optimal batting orientation utilizing an alignment interface of an alignment assembly. In at least one embodiment, the present method comprises directing a batter's line of sight to a perceived contact surface, and in one further embodiment, the present method includes conditioning a batter to swing a bat in an optimal batting orientation, wherein the optimal batting orientation is at least partially defined by maintaining a perceived contact surface substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the ball, thereby maximizing the area of contact between the bat and the ball. The method of the present invention also includes swinging a bat while maintaining it in an optimal batting orientation, and in yet one further embodiment, the present method comprises contacting a ball with a bat while maintaining the bat in the optimal batting orientation.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrative of one embodiment of a bat alignment assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrative of one alternative embodiment of a bat alignment assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a distal end elevation illustrative of one embodiment of a bat alignment assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a distal end elevation illustrative of one other embodiment of a bat alignment assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a batter with his hands positioned on a handle of a bat in an optimal batting orientation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the batter of FIG. 4 swinging the bat while maintaining the bat in an optimal batting orientation.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrative of yet another alternative embodiment of a bat alignment assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrative of one embodiment of a method of training a batter to maximize an area of contact between a bat and a ball.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As stated above, the present invention is directed to a bat alignment assembly which is generally shown as 10 throughout the figures. More in particular, the bat alignment assembly 10 of the present invention comprises a bat 20. As will be appreciated, a bat 20 in accordance with the present invention may be utilized in a variety of sports such as, but not limited to, baseball or softball. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a bat 20 in accordance with the present invention may be fabricated from a variety of materials of construction including, but not limited to, wood or aluminum. In one embodiment, a bat 20 in accordance with the present invention comprises a solid construction, while in at least one further embodiment, a bat 20 comprises an at least partially hollow construction. As one example, a bat 20 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is constructed of aluminum and comprises an at least partially hollow construction.

Furthermore, a bat 20 in accordance with the present invention may be fabricated in a variety of different weights and dimensions. As just one example, a bat 20 may have an elongated and/or tapered construction. In one embodiment, a bat 20 is tapered such that a diameter of a handle 25 is noticeable smaller in relation to a diameter of a barrel 23. Additionally, in another embodiment, a bat 20 comprises transverse cross-sections of varying geometries including, but not limited to, circular, semi-circular, semi-oval, elliptical, or semi-elliptical shapes.

As shown in FIG. 1, and in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a bat 20 comprises a length 28 disposed between a distal end 21 and a proximal end 22. Looking further to the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, a bat 20 comprises a barrel 23 located adjacent to a distal end 21 of the bat 20. In at least one embodiment, a bat 20 has a handle 25 disposed adjacent to the proximal end 22 of the bat 20. With reference to the illustrative alternative embodiment of FIG. 2, a handle 25 of a bat 20 in accordance with the present invention comprises a grip 26. By way of example only, a grip 26 on a handle 25 of a bat 20 may comprise a variety of materials of construction including, but not limited to, rubber, cotton, polymeric material, etc. Also by way of example only, a grip 26 on a handle 25 of a bat 20 further comprise an appropriate adhesive on at least a side to assist securing the grip 26 to the handle 25 of the bat 20.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a bat 20 comprises an alignment assembly 30. An alignment assembly 30, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, facilitates positioning a batter's hands on a handle 25 of a bat 20 in an optimal batting orientation. FIG. 4 is illustrative of a batter holding a bat 20 comprising an alignment assembly 30, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, in an optimum batting orientation.

An alignment assembly 30 in accordance with at least one embodiment of a bat alignment assembly 10 of the present invention comprises a base tone 31 and a secondary tone 32. In at least one embodiment, a base tone 31 and a secondary tone 32 comprise sufficient contrast so as to at least partially define an alignment interface 33 where the base tone 31 and the secondary tone 23 abut one another. The base tone 31 and secondary tone 32 may comprise different colors, however, in at least one embodiment, the base tone 31 and secondary tone 32 comprise different shades of the same color, wherein the different shades are sufficiently distinct so as to define an alignment interface 33 where the base tone 31 and the secondary tone 23 abut one another. Other embodiments may comprise a plurality of tones disposed in different configurations. With reference to the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 3, each of a base tone 31 and a secondary tone 32 are disposed along adjacent and opposing 180 degree sections through a distal end 21 of a bat 20. In at least one embodiment, an Alignment assembly 30 comprises a plurality of tones disposed in different configurations. By way of example, FIG. 3A shows one alternative illustrative embodiment comprising multiple tones, wherein a distal end 21 of a bat 20 has a secondary tone 32 and tertiary tone 35 disposed along adjacent and opposing 90 degree sections, collectively forming a 180 degree section, which itself is disposed adjacent an opposing 180 degree section comprising a base tone 31.

An alignment interface 33 in accordance with the present invention comprises an alignment length 38 extending along at least a portion of a bat 20. As shown best in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, an alignment interface 33 extends from a distal end 21 to a proximal end 22 of a bat 20. As such, an alignment length 38 is essentially equal to a bat length 28, once again, as shown best in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 further illustrates an alignment interface 33 disposed essentially along an axis 29 through the length 28 of the bat 20 where a base tone 31 and a secondary tone 32 abut one another. FIG. 6 is illustrative of yet one other alternative embodiment in which an alignment assembly 30 comprises an alignment interface 33 which is at least partially defined by a secondary tone 32 in the form of a line disposed substantially along an axis 29 through the length 28 of the bat 20.

In one alternative embodiment, such as is shown in FIG. 2, an alignment interface 33′ only extends partially along a length 28 of a bat 20 from a distal end 21 towards a proximal end 22 of the bat 20. By way of example only, and as shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2, an alignment interface 33′ comprises an alignment length 38′ which extends along a length 28 of a bat 20 from a distal end 21 of the bat 20 towards a proximal end 22 of the bat 20.

To facilitate positioning a batter's hands along a handle 25 of a bat 20 in an optimal batting orientation, in one embodiment of the present invention an alignment assembly 30 comprises an alignment indicia 36. In at least one further embodiment, an alignment assembly 30 in accordance with the present invention consists solely of one or more alignment indicia 36. As further shown in the illustrative alternative embodiment of FIG. 2, an alignment assembly 30 comprises at least one alignment indicia 36 disposed on a handle 25 of a bat 20. In one embodiment, at least one alignment indicia 36 is disposed on a handle 25 of a bat 20 aligned with an alignment interface 33′ so as to further facilitate positioning a batter's hands along a handle 25 of a bat 20 in an optimal batting orientation. In at least one further embodiment, a bat alignment assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises an alignment assembly 30 having a plurality of alignment indicia 36 disposed on opposite sides of a handle 25 of a bat 20, wherein each of the plurality of alignment indicia 36 are aligned with an alignment interface 33′, once again, to facilitate positioning a batter's hands along a handle 25 of a bat 20 in an optimal batting orientation.

As will become apparent, and as shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 4, in at least one embodiment, an alignment assembly 30, and more specifically, an alignment interface 33 will facilitate positioning a batter's hands on a handle 25 of a bat 20 in an optimal batting orientation. An optimal batting orientation in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention is at least partially defined as maintaining a perceived contact surface 34 of a bat 20 substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel 40 of a ball. By way of example only, the batter shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 4 is in the ready position, and is utilizing alignment assembly 33 to position his hands on the handle 25 of the bat 20 in an optimal batting orientation.

An alignment interface 33 of an alignment assembly 30 in accordance with the present invention may be created via a variety of different methods. As one example only, either a base tone 31 or a secondary tone 32 of an alignment assembly 30 comprise a color of a material of construction of a bat 20 itself, while the other of the base tone 31 or secondary tone 32 may be established in a variety of ways such as, but not limited to, by painting the bat 20, by applying a cover to the bat 20, by applying a label to the bat 20, or by applying a holographic image to the bat 20.

An alignment interface 33, 33′ disposed along a barrel 23 of a bat 20 at least partially defines a perceived contact surface 34, 34′ coincident and coplanar with an axis 29 through a length 28 of a bat 20, as shown in the illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. A perceived contact surface 34, 34′ creates a visual illusion of a barrel 23 having a flat contact surface. As such, an alignment assembly 30 of a bat 20 induces a batter to direct his or her line of sight towards a perceived contact surface 34, 34′. Through repetition this will necessarily improve a batter's hand-eye coordination. By way of example only, FIG. 5 shows the batter of FIG. 4 swinging the bat 20 and directing his line of sight along the perceived contact surface 34 of the bat 20.

As may be seen from the illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, a barrel 23 of a bat 20 comprises a physical contact surface 24 along at least a portion of the barrel 23, the physical contact surface 24 being the portion of the bat 20 which makes actual contact with a ball. More specifically, in at least one embodiment, when a bat 20 is maintained in an optimal batting orientation, and the barrel 23 of the bat 20 contacts a ball at a contact point 29, as shown best in FIG. 5, the physical contact surface 24 is also maintained in an optimal batting orientation, substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel 40 of a ball.

One of the keys to effective batting is to hit a ball with a bat 20 in a way that maximizes an area of contact between the ball and the bat 20. To maximize an area of contact between a ball and a bat 20, a ball must be hit by the bat 20 without twisting or rolling or rotating the physical contact surface 24 along the barrel 23 of the bat 20. As will be appreciated, by maintaining a perceived contact surface 34, 34′ substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel 40 of a ball, the physical contact surface 24 cannot twist or roll or rotate relative to a direction of travel of the ball. Consequently, it is important that a batter develop the ability to visualize a perceived contact surface 34, 34′ in order to maintain the actual contact surface 24 substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel 40 of a ball while swinging the bat 20.

As such, in at least one embodiment, an alignment assembly interface 33, 33′ of an alignment assembly 30, 30′ directs a batter's line of sight towards a perceived contact surface 34, 34′. Furthermore, an alignment assembly 30, 30′, and more specifically, a perceived contact surface 34, 34′ facilitates maintaining the physical contact surface 24 of a bat 20 substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel 40 of the ball. With reference again to FIG. 5, the batter of FIG. 4 is swinging the bat 20 and is maintaining the perceived contact surface 34 of the bat 20 substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel 40 of a ball.

As previously indicated, the present invention is directed to a method for training a batter to maximize an area of contact between a bat and a ball, generally shown as 100 in FIG. 7. In at least one embodiment, a method 100 includes providing a bat alignment assembly comprising a bat having an alignment assembly 110. As previously disclosed herein, in at least one embodiment, an alignment assembly at least partially defines a perceived contact surface coincident and coplanar with an axis through a length of a bat. The present method 100 further comprises positioning a batter's hands on a handle of a bat in an optimal batting orientation utilizing an alignment interface 120 of an alignment assembly. At least one further embodiment of the method 100 of the present invention comprises positioning a batter's hands on a handle of a bat in an optimal batting orientation utilizing at least one alignment indicia 125 of an alignment assembly.

In at least one embodiment, the present method 100 includes directing a batter's line of sight to a perceived contact surface 130. By way of example, the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5 shows a batter swinging a bat with his hands positioned on the handle of the bat adjacent to the alignment interface in an optimal batting orientation 120. In at least one embodiment, the present method 100 further comprises conditioning a batter to swing a bat in an optimal batting orientation 140. In at least one embodiment, the optimal batting orientation is at least partially defined by maintaining a perceived contact surface of a bat substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of a ball.

The method 100 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention further comprises swinging a bat while maintaining the bat in an optimal batting orientation 150. The method 100 of the present invention further comprises contacting a ball with a bat while maintaining the bat in an optimal batting orientation 160. As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the present method 100 may be utilized for training of batters in different sports including, but not limited to, baseball and softball. Through repetition, the method 100 of the present invention will train a batter to maximize an area of contact between a bat and a ball.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described, 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bat alignment assembly for training a batter, said bat alignment assembly comprising: a bat, said bat having a distal end and a proximal end, a barrel located adjacent to said distal end of said bat, a handle disposed adjacent to said proximal end of said bat, said barrel comprising a physical hitting surface, and an alignment assembly comprising an alignment interface, wherein said alignment interface facilitates positioning the batter's hands on said handle of said bat in an optimal batting orientation.
 2. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said alignment assembly comprises a base tone and a secondary tone.
 3. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said base tone and said secondary tone at least partially define said alignment interface.
 4. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said base tone and said secondary tone contrast to at least partially define a perceived contact surface along at least a portion of said barrel of said bat.
 5. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said secondary tone is applied by painting said bat.
 6. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said perceived contact surface is coincident and coplanar with an axis through a length of said bat.
 7. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said alignment interface extends substantially between said distal end and said proximal end of said bat.
 8. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said alignment interface extends at least partially away from said distal end towards said proximal end along said bat.
 9. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said alignment interface comprises an alignment length.
 10. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said alignment length is about 15 to 16 inches.
 11. A bat alignment assembly for training a batter, said bat alignment assembly comprising: a bat, said bat having a distal end and a proximal end, a barrel located adjacent to said distal end of said bat, a handle disposed adjacent to said proximal end of said bat, said barrel comprising a physical hitting surface, and an alignment assembly comprising a base tone and a secondary tone, wherein said base tone and said secondary tone at least partially define an alignment interface.
 12. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 11 further comprising at least one alignment indicia.
 13. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said alignment indicia is disposed on said handle.
 14. The bat alignment assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said alignment indicia is aligned with said alignment interface of said alignment assembly to facilitate positioning the batter's hands on said handle of said bat in an optimal batting orientation.
 15. A method of training a batter to maximize an area of contact with a ball, the method comprising: providing a bat alignment assembly comprising a bat having an alignment assembly, positioning the batter's hands on a handle of the bat in an optimal batting orientation utilizing an alignment interface of the alignment assembly, having a perceived contact surface coplanar and coincident with an axis though a length of the bat, directing the batter's line of sight to the perceived contact surface, conditioning the batter to swing the bat in an optimal batting orientation, wherein the optimal batting orientation is at least partially defined by maintaining the perceived contact surface substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the ball thereby maximizing the area of contact between the bat and the ball, swinging the bat while maintaining the bat in the optimal batting orientation, and contacting the ball with the bat while maintaining the bat in the optimal batting orientation.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein the alignment assembly further comprises at least one alignment indicia disposed on the handle of the bat, and positioning the batter's hands on the handle of the bat in the optimal batting orientation utilizing the at least one alignment indicia of the alignment assembly. 